Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
Open Position – Call for Applicants
Senior Assistant Appellate Defender (Public Defender II) Appellate Defender Office
Topeka, KS
Senior Assistant Appellate Defender (Public Defender II):
The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is accepting applications for the position of Senior Assistant Appellate Defender (PD II) in the Appellate Defender Office in Topeka, Kansas.
The position of Senior Assistant Appellate Defender is for attorneys who have a well-developed appellate litigation practice or previous defense experience at the trial or postconviction stages, and who are capable of working on all lower severity level and some higher severity level felony appeals assigned to them with minimal supervision.
The Mission:
The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (BIDS), through its regional public defender offices like the Appellate Defender Office, represents adults charged with felonies who cannot hire an attorney. By supporting and elevating public defense in the State of Kansas, BIDS empowers its team to provide relentless representation and collaborative, holistic advocacy in service of client-centered outcomes.
The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is in the process of remaking its public defense model with a renewed emphasis on building public defense offices with an interdisciplinary team-based collaborative defense system that uses community connections and resources to better represent not just an individual’s case, but the client as a whole.
The office of the Appellate Defender is looking for dynamic, client-centered advocates who are passionate about the importance of public defense and are interested in aiding our efforts to rebuild our system and transform the public defender office in Topeka into a model of collaborative public defense practice.
Responsibilities:
Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders represent adults who have been convicted of felonies and provide those individuals with direct representation in their appeals. Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders possess an advanced legal writing and research skill set and have developed a comprehensive motions and briefing practice. Attorneys at this level are capable of litigating complex statutory, procedural, and constitutional issues with some assistance from other experienced attorneys within their office. Attorneys are also expected to engage in positive communications with clients, maintain substantial understanding of the relevant law governing cases, and provide robust advocacy.
Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders consistently advance the ideals of a client-centered, holistic public defender system both internally within the agency and in their interactions with outside legal system stakeholders. The attorney must demonstrate compassion for our clients and a desire to zealously advocate on behalf of the poor. The attorney in this position must be willing and able to treat our clients with dignity.
Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders maintain the highest standards of professionalism, and demonstrate an ability to respectfully and successfully work with colleagues, clients, opposing counsel, and the courts. These attorneys must continue to actively advance their level of practice by seeking additional learning opportunities.
Qualifications
Minimum requirements for this position include:
Education and Experience: Must be a graduate from an ABA accredited law school and licensed attorney who is active and in good standing in the State of Kansas at the time of employment. Have a preferred minimum of 3 years of experience in appellate or postconviction criminal defense, capital defense, or other comparable legal practice.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
· Must have exceptional communication skills, including strong legal writing and oral advocacy skills.
· A clearly demonstrated aptitude for excellence in criminal defense practice and an on- going commitment to a client-centered practice.
· Ability to use all necessary electronic devices including computers, e-filing systems, as well as case management systems.
· Ability to coordinate with supporting personnel to provide client-centered, holistic representation.
· Must have appropriate time management skills and organizational skills and demonstrate proficiency of avoiding unnecessary delays in client’s cases through appropriate preparation and planning.
· Must be able to process, organize and manage complex litigation.
· Must be able to handle emergency or crisis situations.
· Must be able to handle frequent interruptions and multiple calls and inquiries.
· Must be able to effectively interact with clients, co-workers and other colleagues in a respectful and appropriate manner.
· Must be academically curious about criminal law and procedure.
· Must be able to treat every client, witness and colleague with dignity and respect without exception.
· Must be able to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information.
· Must have a keenly developed and uncompromising set of personal and professional ethics.
· Occasional travel to other work locations including courts and prisons.
Conditions of Employment:
· Maintain licensure as an active attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas or; attorneys licensed in another state must be willing and able to seek admission to the Kansas bar immediately upon hire.
· Must have a valid driver’s license where courts and jails are not located within walking distance of the office.
· All Employment is subject to the Governor’s salary approval.
Salary and Benefits:
Compensation for this position (Public Defender II) ranges from $70,000.00 – $85,000.00. Salary may vary depending upon experience or qualifications.
The State of Kansas Employment Benefits Package includes:
· First day of employment comprehensive coverage under the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) for medical, prescription drug coverage, dental, and vision. Tax advantage accounts are available and include options such as a Health Savings Account, Health Reimbursement Account, and Flexible Spending Accounts.
· Additional voluntary benefits including Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness Insurance
· SEHP members and their covered family members have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in person and virtual health care services
· Sick & Vacation leave
· Work-Life Balance programs: paid parental leave, military leave, jury leave, and funeral leave
· Paid State Holidays
· Fitness Centers in select locations
· Employee discounts with the STAR Program
· Retirement and deferred compensation programs
Application Materials Needed:
· Cover letter
· Resume
· Writing sample
· List of three professional references
To apply for this position, please click the link below.
Ensure you upload all required documents during the application process. If you have any further questions please contact:
Shawn Keeling
Human Resources Professional, Administration Office State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services bidsrecruiter@sbids.org
Application deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, open until filled.
Please be aware that if an offer of employment is made, actual employment is subject to two pre- employment conditions which include:
· Confirmation of licensure as an active attorney in good standing the State of Kansas, or successful admission to the Kansas Bar, prior to start date.
· Governor’s salary approval.
Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate required:
Each applicant (even non-residents) applying for a State of Kansas job vacancy must obtain and submit a valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter to the hiring agency by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue’s website at https://www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/taxclearance/default.aspx. A Tax Clearance Certificate is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual’s account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws. A Tax Clearance expires every 90 days. This is in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact 785-296-3199 or by email at kdor_specialprojects@ks.gov.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.
Advertised by Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services.